Do you have an old, unwanted vehicle eating space in your garage or driveway? If you want to get rid of your junk car and make some cash, consider selling it for scrap. This frees up space and can benefit the environment because you’re properly disposing of the vehicle.
However, before you consider selling it to a scrap-car company, dealership, or private buyer, knowing how to get the best deal is essential. Let’s dive into scrap car removal, how it works, and how to get the best deal,
How to Turn Your Old Vehicle into Cash
Do you have an old car sitting in your driveway for months or even years? It might be time to consider turning that old vehicle into cash. Fortunately, you have several options for doing this.
Sell It Privately
Selling your old car privately is one option for turning it into cash. You can generally get top dollar for your vehicle, but it can also be time-consuming and stressful.
To complete a private sale, you must advertise your old car, field calls and emails from potential car buyers, and negotiate a price. Plus, there's always the risk of scams or fraudulent buyers. However, if you're willing to put in the effort, selling your car privately can be a rewarding experience.
Trade It In
If you want a more convenient option, trade your old car in at a dealership. This is generally a quick and easy way to get rid of your old vehicle, but it may not fetch you as much money as it would in a private sale.
Dealerships generally profit from buying and reselling vehicles, so they'll likely offer you less than what you think your old car is worth. If your vehicle is too old or in poor shape, the dealership may have to wholesale it, meaning you may get an even lower offer.
However, trading in your old vehicle can be a good option to upgrade to a new car.
Sell It for Scrap
If your car is no longer in good enough condition to trade, and you don't want to deal with the hassle of selling it privately or it’s just not worth the headache, you can sell it for scrap.
Most scrap yards will take your car and pay you based on its weight and the current scrap metal price. This can be a straightforward way to get cash for your car without much work. All you need is your car title, and the scrap yard will cover the rest, including getting a tow truck.
Sell it to a Junkyard or Auto Recycler
Most cars, even those totalled in an accident, have some value in their parts. Instead of going through the headaches of selling parts yourself, you can sell the entire vehicle to a junkyard, auto wrecker, or auto recycler. They will either strip the worthwhile parts from the vehicle and scrap the rest or put them on their lot for customers to come strip them.
A junk yard will typically offer you free towing services and pay cash or by cheque but don’t expect to get top dollar for your old ride. Common cars with high demand for used parts, such as Honda, Toyota, Chevrolet, Ford, and others, will generally fetch the best prices.
How to Find the Best Cash-for-Cars Deal
Selling your vehicle for scrap can be a great way to get rid of an old car and make some extra money. However, make sure you're getting the best deal possible. Let’s review some tips to help you find the best cash-for-cars deal:
Shop Around
When searching for top dollar from a cash-for-cars deal, it’s best to shop around. Contact several scrap yards, junkyards, and auto recyclers in your area and get free quotes for your vehicle. Provide accurate information about your car's make, model, condition, engine type, and more. This will help you get accurate quotes.
When comparing quotes, don't just look at the price. Consider the reputation of the scrap yard as well. Look for online reviews and ask for referrals from friends and family. This will help you ensure that you're dealing with a reputable company that will give you a fair price for your vehicle and won’t back out of the deal or forget about your car pick up.
Negotiate
With several quotes from scrap yards, junkyards, and auto recyclers, it's time to negotiate. Don't be afraid to ask for more than the company initially offered. Use competitors’ quotes as leverage to try and get the most money for your old vehicle.
However, remember that the scrap yard needs to make a profit too. Be realistic in your negotiations, and don't expect a significantly higher offer than the others you received.
Prepare Your Vehicle
Before initiating your scrap car removal, you must prepare the vehicle. Remove all your personal belongings from the vehicle, including paperwork, CDs, and other items. If it has licence plates and insurance, cancel the policy and your plates to the proper authority.
If the vehicle is going for scrap only, remove any valuable parts from the car, such as the battery, tires, and catalytic converter. These parts can be sold separately and may be worth more than the car. If it’s going to a junkyard or auto recycler, leave these parts intact or the company may reduce the price or refuse to take your old junk car.
Avoiding Cash-for-Cars Scams
When selling your car for cash, it's essential to research and select a reputable scrap yard or scrap car removal service. This ensures you receive a fair price for your vehicle and protects you from common cash-for-cars scams.
You can uncover scams by looking out for certain red flags. For example, a junk car removal service asking for the signed title before giving you a quote is a major red flag. Legitimate scrap car removal services will give you a quote first and ask for the signed title once you’ve agreed to the deal.
Another common scam is a scrap car removal company offering cash at first and then trying to switch to a cheque wire transfer at the last minute. To avoid this, confirm the payment method in advance and get it in writing.
Also, be wary of companies offering to buy your car sight unseen. This may seem convenient, but it often means the company is not legitimate. A reputable scrap car removal service will inspect the vehicle before offering you cash for it.
When choosing a scrap yard or scrap car removal service, it's wise to check out online reviews and seek recommendations from friends and family. This will increase your chances of finding a trustworthy company with fair purchase offers and a no-hassle experience.
Benefits of Scrap Car Removal Services
Selling to a scrap car removal service has plenty of benefits. Let’s review why this may be a good option for you.
Selling your car for cash can be an environmentally friendly option. When you sell to scrap car removal service, they will recycle the parts and metal from your old car, which reduced the need for mining new ore. Reduced demand for new metals can lower the environmental impact of mining.
Another benefit is that selling your vehicle to a scrap car removal service is generally quick and easy. There’s no fussing over listing your car for sale, dealing with potential buyers, or negotiating a price. Instead, you can call the scrap car removal company to pick up your car and give you instant cash on the spot.
And if you're worried about your car’s condition, don't be. Many scrap car removal services accept cars in just about any condition, running or not. So if your car is old, damaged, or no longer running, these companies will still offer you cash.
What to Expect When Selling Your Scrap Vehicle for Cash
When selling your scrap vehicle for cash, remember a few things. We already mentioned that you’d need to remove any personal belongings from the car before handing it over. Once the company has the vehicle in its possession, the chances of you getting your belonging out are slim to none.
Most companies will also require a copy of your car's registration and title. Without this, you may be able to accuse them of theft, so they likely will not pick up the car without it — no matter its condition.
The scrap car removal service will want to inspect your vehicle to determine its value before agreeing on a purchase price. When they arrive to pick up your vehicle, they will make the payment — typically in cash or cheque. Your vehicle’s value will depend on several factors, including the car's condition, make and model, weight, and current scrap metal prices.
The Average Price a Scrap Car Removal Company Pays for a Vehicle
As we mentioned above, a scrap car removal company's price for a vehicle can vary depending on the market, car condition, and location. Generally, if you sell to a scrap yard that’ll melt down the metal, you can expect to receive $250 to $350 per metric tonne. If your vehicle is in demand enough to sell to a junkyard or auto recycler, you can expect to receive $300 to $1,000, depending on its condition and if it has a running drivetrain or not.
Conclusion
These tips can help you find the best cash-for-cars deal and make the most money from your old vehicle. Remember to shop around, negotiate, and prepare your car before selling it for scrap or to a junkyard or auto recycler. With a little effort, you can turn your old car into cash and clear up much-needed space in your garage or driveway for a newer, high-quality car.
Speaking of a high-quality car, you can find your replacement vehicle at Clutch, Canada’s premier online automotive retailer. We offer only the highest-quality used cars that have been through a 210-point inspection and reconditioning processes and include 90-day or 6,000-km warranties. Plus, we offer a 10-day, 750-km test-own period. If you don’t love your vehicle during this time, you can return it for a refund or exchange it for something else.
Plus, before sending that old vehicle to the scrap yard or auto recycler, run it through our online trade-in estimator. We may be able to offer you a little more for your trade-in and come pick the vehicle up at your home.
Our entire vehicle purchase and trade-in process is 100% online, so you never set foot in a dealership. It doesn’t get much easier than that.
